Chapter 454 - 423: Second Time in the Palace

"You're saying Chen Che went to Faqian City?"

Within the Primordial Sect, Duobao lounged, rolling a string of prayer beads between his fingers. Beautiful female cultivators attended to him, massaging his shoulders and tapping his legs. He addressed the sycophantic Chief Steward before him, his gaze lifting slightly:

"Is this true?"

"It is."

The Chief Steward's name was Cui Zhen. He was Cui Jun's cousin and had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment.

He stood with his hands clasped, a fawning smile on his face.

"I stood watch outside the valley for half a month. In the final few days, I heard that brat Chen Che giving all sorts of orders, making arrangements for his absence. I even saw him leave Jinyun Valley with my own eyes."

"Outside the valley?"

Duobao shot him a glance.

Cui Zhen immediately broke out in a cold sweat. 'That's right, how could I dare enter the valley? My own cousin went to Jinyun Valley and vanished without a trace.' He had been secretly fanning the flames, hoping to get Duobao to punish Chen Che for the crime of deceiving his superiors.

"And here I thought the boy would hole up in Jinyun Valley for the rest of his life!"

Duobao's eyes were half-lidded as he chuckled and shook his head.

He had originally planned to send Huang Shiwo to Jinyun Valley to force Chen Che out. But unexpectedly, Huang Shiwo had simply delivered a letter, which allowed that boy to stall for over a month. Duobao had already been preparing to annihilate Xiao Chan, after which he would lead his men to Jinyun Valley to apprehend Chen Che and bring him to justice.

He never thought the boy would actually leave.

"Ha!"

At this thought, Duobao could no longer sit still. He immediately stood and began to pace, his heart swelling with smug satisfaction.

'Everything is ready. All I was missing was this final, crucial piece!'

...

「Faqian City.」

Suddenly, a massive shadow fell, accompanied by the sound of something piercing the air.

Countless cultivators looked up to see a cultivator in green robes riding an incomparably majestic great bird as it soared in from the horizon. One moment, it was on the distant edge where the heavens met the earth; the next, it was already overhead, descending outside the city under everyone's gaze.

Then, the giant bird, which was dozens of feet tall, transformed with a shake of its body, shrinking to the size of a sparrow and landing on the young cultivator's shoulder.

"Look at that presence. It's another Golden Core True Master. I wonder who he is…"

"Tsk, tsk. It must be Chen Che of Jinyun Valley. Among all the Golden Core True Masters, only seven own a Flying Bird Great Demon, and the youngest of them is that Valley Master from Yunzhou."

"Why has he come to Faqian City as well? Could it be…!?"

"Of course he is. Jinyun Valley is subordinate to the Primordial Sect, so he must have been dispatched by Duobao. Good heavens, what a lineup. Including him, that makes twelve Golden Core True Masters, doesn't it? The Primordial Sect's killing intent is so strong… it seems they won't rest until they've succeeded."

A crowd of cultivators within the city began to chatter amongst themselves, their words tinged with shock.

Even in a lawless, chaotic place like Faqian City, Golden Core True Masters were at the top of the food chain. To see so many appear at once, on top of the recent rumors, led many residents to immediately assume that he, too, was here for Xiao Chan.

Walking through the city, Chen Che could feel the looks of reverence from all around.

The last time he had come, he had concealed his Realm and hidden his Cultivation. No one had paid him any mind, save for Zhou Lian, who had timidly stepped forward to be his guide. This time, just by revealing his Golden Core aura upon entering the city, he made many cultivators keep a respectful distance. Wherever he went, they quickly moved aside to let him pass.

"Valley Master Chen, I'm Jin Wu from the Celestial Garden Inn. Are you looking for lodging?"

Likewise, the attitude of Jin Wu from the Celestial Garden Inn was also completely different.

The last time Chen Che came, Jin Wu had been sitting on a lotus leaf, focused on his Cultivation, and had given him the cold shoulder. This time, the moment Chen Che stepped into the inn, the man had rushed over, trembling with deference, his attitude as warm and welcoming as a spring breeze.

"You recognize me?"

Chen Che regarded Jin Wu with amusement.

He still had a score to settle with this man. During his previous stay at the Celestial Garden Inn, Jin Wu had sold his information to several other parties.

"A Golden Core True Master as illustrious as yourself—your reputation is as bright as the moon in the sky! Of course, everyone knows of you. Who hasn't heard that under the Primordial Sect's banner there is a Valley Master who is also a Pill Master, an exceptionally rare young prodigy."

Jin Wu bowed and scraped, even giving a thumbs-up as he laid on the flattery.

"Enough with the nonsense. I'll take your best private courtyard."

Chen Che couldn't be bothered to deal with him. The man was cunning and changed his tune far too quickly; a true sycophant. Even so, there were levels to being an opportunist, and this man was several notches below even Tang Linli.

"Right away, Valley Master Chen, this way, please! Li'er, prepare the boat!"

Jin Wu called out in acknowledgment and summoned Li'er. She poled a small boat over to guide Chen Che to his courtyard, and Jin Wu was the very picture of obsequiousness the entire way:

"Valley Master Chen, this is your first visit to Faqian City, isn't it? Do you have any acquaintances here? Would you like me to show you around? I've lived in this city for decades and know all the ins and outs…"

"I have important business to attend to."

Chen Che stood at the prow with his hands behind his back, his tone dismissive.

Li'er was still dressed as a simple fisher girl. She poled the small boat while her melodious, winding song drifted across the water. Her voice contained no True Essence, but it held a peculiar, lonely quality. Chen Che gave her a passing glance, which Jin Wu immediately took as a sign, smiling fawningly.

"If the Valley Master is interested, I can have Li'er keep you company during your stay?"

"That won't be necessary."

Chen Che refused coolly.

He was just thinking, 'This woman is a deep schemer, willing to use any means necessary to get ahead.'

The faint smile that had just appeared on Li'er's face instantly vanished, replaced by disappointment. Seeing this, Jin Wu didn't dare mention it again. For some reason, he had the distinct impression that this Valley Master did not like him.

"Valley Master Chen…"

The boat had not been moving for long when Jin Wu opened his mouth to speak.

Suddenly, he felt a vast wave of Divine Sense sweep over them without warning, arriving in an instant. Chen Che let out a soft chuckle and shot his own Divine Sense back without the slightest hesitation.

BOOM—

The placid lake turned into a raging sea, and massive waves erupted with the small boat at their center, rolling outward in all directions.

Jin Wu and Li'er dropped to the deck in a panic, terrified of being swept into the surging waves. Only Chen Che stood unmoving at the prow. When the waves reached the small boat, they simply parted, not affecting it in the slightest.

In the blink of an eye, the lake was calm again.

Chen Che's brow twitched as his gaze fell upon a private courtyard on a solitary island. "Who is staying there?"

"Valley Master Chen, that is the Rebel Disciple of the Primordial Sect: the Evil Cultivator Xiao Chan."

Jin Wu hurriedly supplied the man's name and title.

"Oh, is that so?"

Chen Che's eyes shifted slightly. He retracted his gaze and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "I came to Faqian City today on orders from the Primordial Sect, specifically to eliminate this person. I never expected to find myself staying at the same inn as him…"

"Hmph!"

The vast Divine Sense let out a cold snort, laced with dissatisfaction and a hint of anger.

However, much to the relief of the trembling Jin Wu, who had feared the two were about to come to blows, the presence slowly withdrew.

「A moment later.」

The trio landed on another solitary island, and Jin Wu led Chen Che into the private courtyard.

After refusing Jin Wu's offers and closing the door, Chen Che had just casually sat down cross-legged when a strand of Divine Sense secretly slipped in, conveying surprise and joy.

"Brother Chen, I can't believe it's really you. I was in seclusion healing my injuries when I overheard the conversation. I thought someone was impersonating you…"

Indeed.

This Divine Sense belonged to Xiao Chan.

Who would have thought that these two, who had been clashing like fire and water just a moment before, were secretly in contact?

"People have been impersonating me?"

Chen Che raised an eyebrow.

"Naturally. I've killed three of them so far. Anyway, enough about that. Why have you suddenly come here?" After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Chan remembered the important matter. In truth, Chen Che had sent him a message earlier, but he had been in seclusion and hadn't seen it.

After Chen Che explained the situation, Xiao Chan was silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "This is a tricky situation…"

"Don't make any rash moves for now. Duobao has summoned about a dozen Golden Core True Masters this time. I've just arrived in Faqian City and haven't made contact with them yet. It won't be too late to discuss a plan once I have."

Just as Chen Che was sending his reply via Divine Sense, his brow furrowed. He heard Jin Wu's voice from outside.

"Valley Master Chen."

Chen Che frowned and turned his head, his Divine Sense descending upon the boat without ceremony.

"Did I not say that I was not to be disturbed unless it was important?"

"Valley Master Chen, it was not my intention to disturb you, but something has come up."

Jin Wu stood on the small boat, clasping his hands tremulously. He kept his head bowed as he spoke. "Outside… an attendant from the Celestial Paradise just arrived. He says that several Golden Core True Masters wish to see you…"